Look closely at any vintage furniture designed by father-son duo Philip and Kelvin LaVerne and a cacophony of stylistic influences reveals itself.
The LaVernes’ position at the intersection of art and design was the result of their combined backgrounds: Philip (1907–87) studied painting with Ashcan School artist John Sloan at the Art Students League of New York, while his son, Kelvin (b. 1937), attended the Parsons School of Design, taking classes in art history, furniture design and metalwork. The resulting merge of stylistic elements and innovative processes make for singular designs that defy categorization, striking a balance between modern and traditional, intricate and minimal, art piece and functional item. Their work was also strikingly different from the modern furniture created by Philip’s brother Erwine and his wife, Estelle, of Laverne Originals.
The LaVernes began producing one-of-a-kind furniture and sculpture in the mid-1950s out of a studio on Wooster Street in New York City before opening a showroom on Manhattan’s East 57th Street. As their 1960s advertisements declared: “It’s not just functional and not just art, it’s an investment.”
The LaVernes married a stunning array of techniques and styles to achieve their singular, deeply layered look for one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces. Chinoiserie motifs abound on many of their acid-etched tables, but art from ancient Greece and Egypt also served as inspiration. The influence of figurative sculptors is evident in designs like coffee tables and side tables with bronze bodies serving as frames or bases; other pieces, meanwhile, have deeply detailed surfaces and strikingly simple silhouettes.
The duo developed their own unconventional methods — sometimes to an extreme — for finishing their pieces: Techniques employed by the LaVernes included acid washing and burying furniture underground in a mixture of soil and chemicals to achieve a desired patina through oxidation. While they sometimes used pewter and silver, bronze was one of their most commonly employed materials, either etched or cast and sometimes paired with glass tops. Their partnership ended when Philip died in 1987 and Kelvin shifted his practice to sculpture.
Find an extraordinary range of vintage Philip and Kelvin LaVerne tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Chan Wall Hanging
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in San Francisco, CA
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Chan decorative wall hanging. Original order form is included, model #140 ordered as a wall hanging incorporating colors from mode...
Brass
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 17.5 in D 0.75 in
Philip and Kelvin Laverne 'Chinois' wall plaque, model 102, 1960s
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne 'Chinois' Wall Plaque, Model 102, 1960s A rare and beautiful wall plaque from the celebrated oeuvre of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. Working from their New Yor...
Brass, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare "Chin Ying" Wall Plaque
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in New York, NY
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne rare and exquisite rectangular "Chin Ying" wall plaque in patinated and acid-etched pewter and bronze with vibrant hand-p...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
$3,792Sale Price|33% Off
H 24.02 in W 51.78 in D 1.11 in
Lacquer and Gilding Painting with Chinese Decors. French work. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful lacquered and gilding painting has been made on a wooden panel. The painting represents Chinese characters, one of them riding a dragon. The scene is surrounded by sty...
Lacquer
Chinese Reverse Glass Painting of Taoist Immortals, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Popularized during the Qing dynasty, reverse glass painting requires an artist to essentially work backwards, starting with details and shading before adding color and form. Lending the finished work a subtle three-dimensional effect, this exacting technique doesn't allow for any corrections, and is only revealed to its full effect when the glass pane is turned around. This example dates to the late 19th century and depicts the Taoist immortals He Xiangu and Cao Guojiu. Said to have attained immortality through their studies of the natural world, the Eight Immortals each represent a different condition in life and impart blessings of prosperity and longevity. The charming scene is likely one of a set of...
Glass, Wood
Painting Oil on Canvas by Gordon Russell 1965
Located in North Miami, FL
1965 oil painting on Canvas by Gordon Russell, American (Born 1932). Titled "Fashions I", Dated 1965. Framed in a windowed glass and gilt wood frame. Provenance: From a New York C...
Canvas, Glass, Giltwood
Vintage Asian Original Embroidered Silk Figurative
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage embroidered silk panel captures the refined artistry of traditional Chinese narrative scenes. Meticulously handcrafted, the composition features four courtly f...
Fabric, Silk, Glass, Wood
$2,950
H 24.5 in W 17.5 in D 1 in
“Chinoi Plaque #2” Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Etched Bronze & Pewter Wall Plaque
Located in Yardley, PA
In “Chinoi #2,” Philip and Kelvin LaVerne return to their favorite theme of Chinoiserie reverie, rendering a lyrical vignette from acid etched bronze and pewter. A lone boy sits with...
Bronze, Metal
Vintage wooden art panel, Italy 1963
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage round Asian lacquer art panels made in Italy in the 1963. It was probably originally a tabletop. Good vintage condition. Dimensions: Width: 80 cm / 31.5 inches Height: 2 c...
Wood
$1,142Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.89 in W 39.77 in D 0.79 in
A.Bouverat Chinese Inspired Lacquered Panel Hand-Painted 20th Century
By A. Bouverat
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful rare and large lacquer of Chinese inspiration. Representation of a green space with many plants such as cherry trees and magnolia. A bird crosses the lacquer with its ...
Lacquer
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Iconic Pair of "Chinois Plaques", 1960s, 'Signed'
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "Chinois Plaques", models 101 and 102, in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand-painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed). The delicately engraved scenes are exquisite. Reference: ALCHEMY: THE ART OF PHILIP AND KELVIN LAVERNE written by Evan Lobel with Kelvin LaVerne, published by Pointed Leaf Press...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Bronze Painting "Rhapsody #1" 1972 (Signed and Dated)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Rhapsody #1", a vibrant Abstract Expressionist painting in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne with hand-brazed sculptured frame by Philip & Kelvin LaVern...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne Kuan Su Bronze Painting with Floral Motif 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning "Kuan Su" engraved painting in patinated bronze and pewter with floral motif and hand-applied blue and orange enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed “P....
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne "Peasants Plaque" with Enamel Cloisonne 1960s - Signed
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Peasants Plaque" in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand enamel cloisonne by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed front bottom center "Kelvin + Philip LaVe...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Tower of Babel" Engraved Painting 1960s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large "Tower of Babel" painting in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with enamel cloisonne and bamboo motif frame by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, 1960's (signed “Phillip. Kelvin L...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Large "Rainforest" Painting on Bronze 1970s (Signed)
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large abstract painting "Rainforest" in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with deep green and blue enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1970s (signed “Philip. Kelv...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
